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SAN ANGELO, Texas - The U.S. Cavalry Association and Fort Concho National Historic Landmark have concluded their Regional Cavalry Competition April 24, 2022, at Fort Concho, San Angelo, Texas. Competitors who had arrived from across the United States to take part in this 1800s known practice of putting their skills to the test with serious competition. The event was three days long with multiple levels of competition and a series of events.
The first day of the competition started strong with three Military Horsemanship and jumping levels. Military Horsemanship consisted of skills and maneuvers to show smooth transitions with the horse. The jumping event consisted of eight obstacles ranging from 18 inches to just under 35 inches high, depending on the level.
Cpl. Nicole Wagoner, a veterinarian food specialist on special duty with the 4th Infantry Division Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard, won the Military Horsemanship level three category. As a first-time competitor, she competed in level three; she was the only member representing the Mountain Post in level three events.
"For my first time, I'm proud," Wagoner said. "It was a tough competition with riders who have been doing this for 20 years. I got many compliments from the judge."
The second day of the competition consisted of pistol riding, saber and Combat Horsemanship. Continuing with the three skill levels in each event, competitors did their best to have a clean ride while shooting targets with their pistols and assuring to jab every target with their sabers. The combat horsemanship slowed down the day with competitors maneuvering through different techniques, such as horses walking in reverse through an L-shaped obstacle.
The final day of the competition included unit demonstrations and the Hesse Cup Championship. The Hesse Cup is the elite equestrian competition in which the events are judged on performance and time. Judges selected the top performers from the Regional Cavalry competition to participate.
Cpl. Tyler Tate, a wheeled vehicle mechanic on special duty with the 4th Inf. Div. Mounted Color Guard and level two competitor participated in the Hesse Cup Competition. The first-time competitor was the only member representing the Mountain Post in the Hesse Cup. An outstanding performance awarded him a ribbon for all level two categories.
"I feel super grateful and honored to have had such an amazing horse and training leading up to the competition," said Tate. "I couldn't have had any of the success that I did without them. I'm glad I was able to compete with Junior, because it was his last cavalry competition before retirement."
They said that the Mounted Color Guard team indeed owed their successful performance to their horses' great work. The competition was the last for two of their horses, Master Sgt. Junior and Sgt. Maj. Tank, who will soon be retiring.
The amazing bond between the riders and their horses was shown throughout the competition.
Sgt. Justin Robinson, a motor transport operator on special duty with the 4th Inf. Div. Mounted Color Guard repeatedly cheered, "That's a good boy," to his horse, Staff Sgt. Link, during the competition.
Four of the five riders received awards for their performance. The team said they felt proud of their performance – it was the first competition for all. They said they would continue to train and look forward to participating in the national competition in Oklahoma this September.
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| Date Taken: | 04.26.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2022 09:05 |
| Story ID: | 419409 |
| Location: | SAN ANGELO, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Mounted Color Guard competes in the Regional Cavalry Competition, by SPC Brenda Salgado Morales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
